Indiana

2000 revision (current as of 8/13/2005

IC 35-47-5-2
Knife with blade that opens automatically or may be propelled
Sec. 2. It is a Class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that:
(1) opens automatically; or
(2) may be propelled;
by hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife.
As added by P.L.311-1983, SEC.32. Amended by P.L.70-2000, SEC.2.

IC 35-47-5-12
“Chinese throwing star” defined; related offenses
Sec. 12. (a) A person who:
(1) manufactures;
(2) causes to be manufactured;
(3) imports into Indiana;
(4) keeps for sale;
(5) offers or exposes for sale; or
(6) gives, lends, or possesses;
a Chinese throwing star commits a Class C misdemeanor.
(b) As used in this section, “Chinese throwing star” means a throwing-knife, throwing-iron, or other knife-like weapon with blades set at different angles.
As added by P.L.318-1985, SEC.2.

1983 version

Indiana – 35-47-5-2. Knife with automatically opening blade
prohibited. — It is a class B misdemeanor for a person to
manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give
away, or purchase any knife with a blade that opens
automatically by hand pressure applied to a button,
spring, or other device in the handle of the knife.

January 10, 2012: Indiana Senate’s Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters unanimously passed Senate Bill SB06, a Knife Rights requested bill sponsored by Senators Jim Tomes and Johnny Nugent, which would overturn the state’s antiquated and irrational ban on the possession of switchblade/automatic knives.

This is just the first step in this effort, but the unanimous bipartisan vote bodes well for the bill’s future. If you live, work or travel in Indiana, please contact your Senator and ask them to support SB06 when it comes to the floor for a vote in the coming days. Click here to locate your Senator, or the Senator who represents where you work or travel.

For more details, click on “Read More>>>>”

Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, testified at the hearing that these antiquated bans were implemented in the 1950’s in response to hysteria induced by movies like “Rebel Without A Cause.” They were not based on any type of public threat, increase in crime or other public policy decision. He also explained to the committee that “modern technology has created knives that open just as fast or faster than switchblades or automatic knifes, so the bans on these knives are obsolete.”

SB06 removes a provision that makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife.

December 21, 2011: Indiana State Senator Jim Tomes has a holiday gift for us, Senate Bill SB06 which would repeal Indiana’s antiquated and irrational ban on the sale and possession of switchblades.The bill is supported by Senator Brent Steele, Chair of the Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters Committee that will hear the bill, and Senator Johnny Nugent.

Knife Rights will be present to testify in support of SB06 at the bill’s first hearing on January 10th. If you live, work or travel in Indiana, please contact your Senator and ask them to support SB06. Click here to locate your Senator, or the Senator who represents where you work or travel.